Interlocking Flying Discs with Optional Spacer Ring

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure deals generally with flying discs, often referred to as “Frisbees,” more particularly, interlocking flying discs of various shapes that may be temporarily affixed together along their open bottom cavities to form a portable, substantially waterproof storage container. One or more spacer rings may be interposed between the two flying discs before they are interlocked to provide an expanded volume storage container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application takes benefit of U.S. Provisional App. No. 61/704,470filed Sep. 22, 2012 which is hereby included in its entirety byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure deals generally with flying discs known as“Frisbees” more particularly, interlocking flying discs that may betemporarily affixed together along their open bottom cavities to form aportable, substantially waterproof storage container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While gyroscopically stabilized flying disc toys date to at least thelate 1930s, the modern “Frisbee” was not patented until 1958. See: U.S.Design Pat. No. D183,626. While ordinarily used for casual park or beachthrowing games, competitive games have since been created using theFrisbee as the main element. Games simulating football, soccer, andbasketball have all been practiced at one time or another. One of thesegames is “disc golf.” Created in 1965, the object of the game is to passa Frisbee through a hole, net, or other shape placed at some distancefrom the player. Ordinarily the distance is such that one toss of theFrisbee is insufficient to closely approach, much less pass through, thehole. Thus, the game is played much like conventional golf. The playeruses the first toss to shorten the distance to the hole, makes hissecond toss from the location where the first toss landed, and so on,until the player manages to pass the Frisbee through the hole. Thenumber of tosses required to pass the Frisbee through the hole is thenrecorded and the player advances to the next hole. After all the holeshave been played, the winner of the game is the player requiring thefewest tosses to complete all the holes. Early on however, it wasdetermined that conventional Frisbees were somewhat unwieldy for discgolf playing purposes. As a result, smaller diameter flying discsdesigned specifically for the game were developed. These discs rangefrom about 9 to 10 inches in diameter and are denser than their largercounterparts. Even more recently the “mini-disc” was developed. Theseare smaller still, some only a few inches in diameter, and are oftenused as the equivalent of a “ball marker” to mark the location of athrown disc in competitive disc golf.

No matter what size of flying disc is used, a more than one disc may beused when playing disc golf, each designed for a different purpose at adifferent point in the play of the hole. For example, a “driver” disc isusually constructed with a relatively sharp leading edge with asignificant amount of its mass at the peripheral edge of the disc. Thisconstruction allows lengthy, straight flight over relatively longdistances. Similarly, “putter” discs, have a more curved edge and aredesigned to fly more slowly and predictably for a shorter distance.Because of this, it is not uncommon for disc golfers to simultaneouslycarry at least two or more discs. While professional disc golfers mayhave caddies, casual players do not, so a common problem for most discgolf players revolves around carrying keys and other small personalitems to and from the course and on the course while playing. Some timeago players began snapping two dissimilar, yet compatibly sized discstogether to provide storage in the cavity formed between them. Theproblem with this approach is that there is no mechanism forinterlocking these discs, so they are generally either too loose or tootight and can be either very difficult to separate or, alternately,become separated too easily. Aside from these difficulties, the twodiscs selected invariably were not optimized for use in disc golfapplications. What is needed then, are a multiplicity of suitablyengineered discs that may be easily and conveniently locked together andtaken apart to form a handy storage container for small items neededwhen traveling to and from the course. Of course, conventional Frisbeeand mini-disc enthusiasts might also enjoy the convenience of purchasinga pair of discs that interlock forming a sealed storage cavity. Also,since flying discs made in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention are substantially waterproof when assembled together, theynaturally float on the surface of water. This further protects anypersonal effects secured inside. This is useful since water hazards area ubiquitous feature of the public parks and disc golf courses where thegame is played.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Most flying discs are similar in shape. Ordinarily, they have a circularbody that is generally dished with a cavity on the bottom. Whilegenerally adopting this traditional shape, the present inventionconsists of two different flying discs such that: 1) The first flyingdisc is molded of a pliable material such that the outer facing aspectof the lower circumferential periphery forming the cavity of the flyingdisc forms an outwardly protruding continuous locking lip around theperiphery; 2) The second flying disc is molded of a pliable materialsuch that the inner facing aspect of the lower circumferential peripheryforming the cavity of the flying disc forms an inwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip around the periphery; and, 3) The outsidediameter of the outwardly protruding continuous locking lip of the firstflying disc is somewhat larger than the inside diameter of the inwardlyprotruding continuous locking lip of the second flying disc. Since thecontinuous locking lips protrude either: 1) Radially away from the lowercircumferential periphery forming the cavity of the first flying disc;or, 2) Radially in from the lower circumferential periphery forming thecavity of the second flying disc, a shallow channel is necessarilyformed adjacent to each locking lip.

To assemble the two flying discs together to provide a storage cavitybetween them, the user orients the two cavities so that they face oneanother and are concentrically aligned. The user next ensures that theoutwardly protruding continuous locking lip of the first flying disc isconcentrically aligned with the inwardly protruding continuous lockinglip of the second flying disc and snaps the outwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip of the first flying disc into the cavity of thesecond flying disc through the inwardly continuous locking lip of thesecond flying disc. This operation insinuates the outwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip of the first flying disc into the shallow channelthat is adjacent to the inwardly continuous locking lip of the secondflying disc, and vice versa, forming a sealed container. To disassemble,the user merely unsnaps the first and second flying discs. Oncedisassembled, the flying discs are used in the normal manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are disassembled and assembled cross-section views oftwo interlocking flying discs of the present invention.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are a bottom plan and cross-section view,respectively, of a first interlocking flying disc of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are a bottom plan and cross-section view,respectively, of a second interlocking flying disc of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are disassembled and assembled cross-section views,respectively, of two interlocking flying discs of the present inventionwith one form of a spacer ring insinuated between them.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are a top plan and cross-section view, respectively,of a second form of a spacer ring for use with the present invention.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b are a bottom plan and cross-section view,respectively, of a second form of a spacer ring for use with the presentinvention.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are cross-section views of third and fourth forms ofspacer rings for use with the present invention, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 a through 3 b, several views of disc golfdriver 100 and disc golf putter 110, in disassembled and assembledforms, are illustrated. Disc golf driver 100 typically has a sharperleading edge 101 allowing it to fly long distances. Like all flyingdiscs, disc golf driver 100 has a cavity 102. In this embodiment, theouter facing aspect of the lower circumferential periphery formingcavity 102 of disc golf driver 100 is equipped with outwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip 103 around its circumference. As a result, ashallow channel is necessarily formed adjacent to outwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip 103. Outwardly protruding continuous locking lip103 is used to allow the user to assemble disc golf driver 100 to otherdiscs, such as disc golf putter 110, or various spacer rings.

Disc golf putter 110 typically has a blunt, more rounded leading edge111. Rounded leading edge 111 concentrates a significant fraction of themass of disc golf putter 110 in rounded leading edge 111 thus increasingthe gyroscopically stabilizing effect rounded leading edge 111 impartsto disc golf putter 110 as it flies through the air. Rounded leadingedge 111 also lowers the flight speed of disc golf putter 110 relativeto disc golf driver 100 thus allowing more accurate placement, assuringit can repeatedly fly short distances in a well-controlled line from theuser to the target. As before, disc golf putter 110 also has a cavity112. In this embodiment, the inner facing aspect of the lowercircumferential periphery forming cavity 112 of disc golf putter 110 hasan inwardly protruding continuous locking lip 113. As a result, ashallow channel is necessarily formed adjacent to inwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip 113. Inwardly protruding continuous locking lip113 is used to allow the user to assemble disc golf putter 110 to otherdiscs, such as disc golf driver 100, or various spacer rings. Tointerlock properly and to ensure a virtually liquid proof seal, theoutside diameter of outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 103 isslightly greater than the inside diameter of inwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip 113.

Ordinarily a disc golf driver 100 and a disc golf putter 110 are usedthe same way as other flying discs, i.e. the user grasps the rim of thedisc between the thumb and forefinger and by “flicking” the wrist sendsthe disc rotating and flying in the desired direction. After using thediscs, the user first places one or more personal effects in the dishedcavity of one of the discs, orients cavities 102 and 112 so that theyface one another and are concentrically aligned. Without limitation,personal effects may include such necessaries as car keys, a wallet, acell phone, a coin purse, food, a drink, and so on. Next, the userensures that outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 103 of discgolf driver 100 is concentrically aligned with inwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip 113 of disc golf putter 110 and snaps outwardlyprotruding continuous locking lip 103 of disc golf driver 100 intocavity 112 of disc golf putter 110 by passing outwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip 103 though inwardly protruding continuous lockinglip 113. This operation insinuates outwardly protruding continuouslocking lip 103 of disc golf driver 100 into the shallow channel that isadjacent to inwardly protruding continuous locking lip 113 of disc golfputter 110, and vice versa, thus forming a virtually liquid proof sealedcontainer the internal volume of which comprises the combined internalvolumes of cavity 102 and cavity 112. To disassemble, the user merelyunsnaps disc golf driver 100 and disc golf putter 110 by pulling themapart. Once disassembled, the user's personal effects may be recovered,and the flying discs may be used in the normal manner.

While disc golf driver 100 and disc golf putter 110, like all flyingdiscs, are ordinarily constructed of polyethylene plastic, this is notconsidered a limitation. Those having skill in the art will recognizethat many other materials, including, without limitation, polypropylene,polystyrene, and biodegradable polyester are equally suitable. Manyother substances such as hard rubber, ebonite, neoprene,carbon-reinforced plastics, metals such as aluminum, and so on, are alsosuitable.

Referring now FIGS. 2 a through 4 b several views of disc golf driver100, disc golf putter 110, and spacer ring 120 a, in disassembled andassembled forms, are illustrated. As described above, the outer facingaspect of the lower circumferential periphery forming cavity 102 of discgolf driver 100 is equipped with outwardly protruding continuous lockinglip 103 around its circumference. As a result, a shallow channel isnecessarily formed adjacent to outwardly protruding continuous lockinglip 103. Similarly, disc golf putter 110 also has a cavity 112. In thisembodiment, the inner facing aspect of the lower circumferentialperiphery forming cavity 112 of disc golf putter 110 has an inwardlyprotruding continuous locking lip 113. As above, a shallow channel isnecessarily formed adjacent to inwardly protruding continuous lockinglip 113. Spacer ring 120 a has cavity 121 that is continuous from thetop to the bottom of spacer ring 120 a. The inner facing aspect of theupper circumferential periphery forming cavity 121 of spacer ring 120 ahas an inwardly protruding continuous locking lip 122. The outer facingaspect of the lower circumferential periphery forming cavity 121 isequipped with outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 124. As above,a shallow channel is necessarily formed adjacent to outwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip 124. Also as above, to ensure properinterlocking, the outside diameter of each of outwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lips 103 and 124 is somewhat greater than the insidediameter of each of inwardly protruding locking lips 122 and 113,respectively.

In this embodiment, the user can create a virtually liquid proof sealedcontainer with increased volume by interposing spacer ring 120 a betweendisc golf driver 100 and disc golf putter 110. This is done in thefollowing manner: First, the user places one or more personal effects inthe dished cavity of disc golf putter 110, orients cavities 112 and 121so that they face one another and are concentrically aligned. Withoutlimitation, personal effects may include such necessaries as car keys, awallet, a cell phone, a coin purse, food, a drink, and so on. Next, theuser ensures that outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 124 ofspacer ring 120 a is concentrically aligned with inwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip 113 of disc golf putter 110 and snaps outwardlyprotruding continuous locking lip 124 of spacer ring 120 a into cavity112 of disc golf putter 110 by passing outwardly protruding continuouslocking lip 124 of spacer ring 120 a though inwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip 113. Next, the user orients cavities 102 and 121so that they face one another and are concentrically aligned. Next, theuser ensures that outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 103 ofdisc golf driver 100 is concentrically aligned with inwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip 122 of spacer ring 120 a and snaps outwardlyprotruding continuous locking lip 103 through inwardly protrudinglocking lip 122 of spacer ring 120 a by passing outwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lip 103 though inwardly protruding continuous lockinglip 122 of spacer ring 120 a. By doing this, cavities 102, 112, and 121are combined to form an expanded, virtually liquid proof sealed storagespace. To disassemble, the user merely unsnaps disc golf driver 100 anddisc golf putter 110 from spacer ring 120 a. Once disassembled, theuser's personal effects may be recovered, and the flying discs may beused in the normal manner. It will be apparent that the above sequenceof steps may be equivalently performed by substituting disc golf driver100 in lieu of disc golf putter 110 and vice-versa. Also, it will bereadily apparent that a multiplicity of spacers 120 a may be stacked andsnapped together to create storage spaces of great volume.

Similarly, while the preferred embodiment of spacer ring 120 a ispreferably constructed of polyethylene plastic, this is also notconsidered a limitation. Those having skill in the art will recognizethat many other materials, including, without limitation, polypropylene,polystyrene, and biodegradable polyester are equally suitable. Manyother substances such as hard rubber, ebonite, neoprene,carbon-reinforced plastics, metals such as aluminum, and so on, are alsosuitable.

Similarly, it will be obvious that alternative spacers in any form maybe created. For example, FIGS. 5 a through 6 b show a second form of aspacer ring 120 b featuring substantially flat sides in contrast with afirst form spacer ring 120 a featuring convex sides.

Similarly, it is to be recognized that spacer rings 120 a and 120 b neednot be rigid or even semi-rigid and as such many other forms and othermaterials may be employed. For example, alternative spacer rings may becylindrical in form, made of flexible canvas or nylon fabric, andequipped with suitable locking rings at both ends allowing the user toattach mating flying discs at each end to create a closed, flexibletube-like structure with nearly unlimited internal storage capacity.Such a spacer ring may be equipped with straps, pockets, and/or mountingrings for attaching various accessories. Obviously, the aforementionedlocking rings need not be at the ends of the spacer ring, nor need therebe only two locking rings. For example, an alternative spacer ring maycomprise a multiplicity of locking rings each for attaching a particularkind of flying disc and each opening to an individual storagecompartment.

Similarly, while disc golf driver 100, disc golf putter 110, and spacerrings 120 a and 120 b have been described as having compatible diameterssuch that disc golf driver 100 and disc golf putter 110 may be assembledtogether or assembled with spacer ring 120 a or 120 b interposed betweenthem, this is not considered to be a limitation. For example, aparticular disc golf driver may be diametrically incompatible with aparticular disc golf putter. In this case an alternative spacer capableof accepting the disc golf driver at one end and the disc golf putter atthe other end may be used to form a closed container. In such a case,this alternative spacer may be said to “adapt” these diametricallyincompatible discs to one another.

Similarly, while spacer rings 120 a and 120 b have previously beendescribed as having an inwardly protruding continuous locking lip 122and an outwardly protruding continuous locking lip 124 such that it iscompatible with disc golf driver 100 and disc golf putter 110,respectively, this is not considered a limitation. For example, as showin FIG. 7 a it will be readily apparent that an alternative embodimentof spacer ring 120 c may be equipped with two inwardly protrudingcontinuous locking lips 122 thus allowing the interconnection of twogolf drivers. Similarly, as show in FIG. 7 b it will be readily apparentthat an alternative embodiment of spacer ring 120 d may be equipped withtwo outwardly protruding continuous locking lips 124 thus allowing theinterconnection of two golf putters.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention comprehends assemblingat least two compatible flying discs to form a closed storage container,this too is not considered a limitation. For example, a single flyingdisc of the present invention may be used with a closed storage vesselequipped with a suitable locking ring as a removable lid.

Further, while the invention has been described in conjunction with whatare considered to the most useful and practical embodiments, a cursoryexamination of the specification will suggest a virtually limitlessnumber of alternative embodiments. More specifically, it will beapparent that many equivalent means of attaching two flying discstogether to form a sealed storage space are available. For example,mating interlocking tabs and recesses molded into the lowercircumferential periphery of each flying disc may serve the samepurpose. Similarly, molded “hook and ball” fastening strips appliedalong the lower aspect of the lower circumferential periphery of eachflying disc will also serve the same purpose. It is to be understoodthat all such alternative embodiments are included in the scope andspirit of the present application. Similarly, the multiplicity of“continuous locking lips” referred to in the specification may berendered each as a multiplicity of adjacent locking lips molded orotherwise formed in the appropriate peripheral edge. Finally, while themultiplicity of “continuous locking lips” are shown as semi-ellipsoidalin cross section, this is not considered a limitation. Indeed each maybe rendered in a variety of cross sections, including but not limitedto, semi-circular, square, and triangular.

What is claimed is:
 1. Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacerring comprising: a) a first interlocking flying disc comprising acircular body with a generally dished shape wherein the outward facingaspect of the lower circumferential periphery of said first interlockingflying disc has an outwardly protruding continuous locking lip; b) asecond interlocking flying disc comprising a circular body with agenerally dished shape wherein the inward facing aspect of the lowercircumferential periphery of said second interlocking flying disc has aninwardly protruding continuous locking lip; c) wherein said firstinterlocking flying disc and said second interlocking flying disc areconfigured such that said locking lip of said first interlocking flyingdisc may be inserted through said locking lip of said secondinterlocking flying disc thus securing said first interlocking flyingdisc and said second interlocking flying disc together and forming aclosed storage space between them.
 2. Interlocking flying discs with anoptional spacer ring of claim 1 such that when said first interlockingflying disc and said second interlocking flying disc are locked togetherto form a closed storage space said first interlocking flying disc andsaid second interlocking flying disc may be separated by pulling themapart.
 3. Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacer ring ofclaim 2 further comprising: a) a spacer ring generally cylindrical inshape with an open top and bottom wherein: i. the inward facing aspectof the upper circumferential periphery of the spacer ring furthercomprises an inwardly protruding continuous locking lip; and ii. theoutward facing aspect of the lower circumferential periphery of thespacer ring further comprises an outwardly protruding continuous lockinglip; b) wherein said outwardly protruding concentric continuous lockinglip of said first interlocking flying disc may be inserted through saidinwardly protruding continuous locking lip of said spacer ring thussecuring said first interlocking flying disc and said spacer ringtogether and forming a partially closed storage space; and, c) whereinsaid outwardly protruding concentric continuous locking lip of saidspacer ring may be inserted through said inwardly protruding continuouslocking lip of said second interlocking flying disc thus securing saidspacer ring to said second interlocking flying disc and forming a closedstorage space.
 4. Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacer ringof claim 3 such that said spacer ring is rigid.
 5. Interlocking flyingdiscs with an optional spacer ring of claim 3 such that said spacer ringis collapsible.
 6. Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacerring of claim 5 such that said spacer ring is constructed of fabric. 7.Interlocking flying discs with an optional spacer ring of claim 6 suchthat said spacer ring is constructed of nylon.
 8. A method of usinginterlocking flying discs with an optional spacer ring to store andretrieve personal effects comprising the steps of: a) placing personaleffects in the cavity of said second interlocking flying disc; b)inserting said outwardly protruding continuous locking lip of said firstinterlocking flying disc through said inwardly protruding locking lip ofsaid second interlocking flying disc thus locking them together andforming a closed storage space containing said personal effects; c)subsequently pulling said first interlocking flying disc and said secondinterlocking flying disc apart to unlock and separate them and allowingthe retrieval of said personal effects.
 9. A method of usinginterlocking flying discs and with an optional spacer ring to store andretrieve personal effects comprising the steps of: a) placing personaleffects in the cavity of said second interlocking flying disc; b)inserting the said outwardly protruding continuous locking lip of saidspacer ring through said inwardly protruding continuous locking lip ofsaid second interlocking flying disc thus securing said spacer ring tosaid second interlocking flying disc and forming a partially closedstorage space containing said personal effects; c) inserting saidoutwardly protruding continuous locking lip of said first interlockingflying disc through said inwardly protruding continuous locking lip ofsaid spacer ring thus securing said first interlocking flying disc andsaid spacer ring and forming a closed storage space containing saidpersonal effects; d) subsequently pulling said first interlocking flyingdisc and said spacer ring apart to unlock and separate them and allowingthe retrieval of said personal effects.